Pump



Feb. 1, 1966 K. PILARC ZYK 3,232,235

PUMP 7 Filed Oct. 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I G.

INVENTOR.

KAROL PILARCZYK ATTORNEYS Feb. 1, 1966 K. PILARCZYK 3,232,235

PUMP

Filed Oct. 25. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

KAROL Pl LARCZYK /Zma.n Q1 y rv ATTOR NEYS United States Patent 3,232,235 PUMP Karol Iilarczyk, Morrisville, Pa., assignor to De Laval Turbine Inc, Trenton, N .J., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 318,866 9 Claims. (Cl. 103-166) This invention relates to multiple stage pumps, and more particularly to novel valving for such pumps.

The general object of the invention is to provide a multiple stage pump having valving means which may be set so that the pump can operate with the same efiiciency at either full capacity and half the total developed head or at half capacity and full total developed head. In accordance with this objective of the invention the pump is constructed with two groups of multiple stages, each group having the same number of stages. There is provided suitable valving which may be set to connect the two groups of stages to operate either in series or in parallel. When the valving is set so that the pump operates in series, the pump delivers half capacity and full total developed head, and when the valving is set so that the pump operates in parallel, the pump delivers full capacity and half total developed head. It is evident that when the pump is operated either in series or in parallel, each stage will perform at its best efficiency point. Since the overall pump efiiciency is a function of the stage efficiency and the pump horsepower is a product of the total developed head and the capacity, the ethciency and rated horsepower of the pump are the same for either duty point.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve means of the type indicated above which involves only one simple valve element within the body of the pump casing. By reason of this construction, expensive and complicated external valving is eliminated. This elimination of external valving makes the pump in accordance with this invention ideal for various portable applications, such as disaster controls and firefighting equipment. In these applications, the weight and overall dimenions of the unit are limited by the size of the carrying vehicle.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical axial section through a pump in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial vertical cross-section taken on the plane 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical cross-section taken on the plane 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical cross-section taken on the plane 44 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial vertical cross-section taken on the plane 55 of FIGURE 1.

In FIGURES 2 to 5 various details of the pump structure have been omitted for simplicity and since these figures are provided solely to illustrate the internal passages.

In FIGURE 1, there is shown a multiple stage centrifugal pump which, except for the special valving provided in accordance with this invention, has a generally conventional structure and operates in conventional fashion. The pump has an outer casing constructed to withstand the high pressures developed and shaft 12 which is rotatably driven by suitable means. Shaft 12 has mounted thereon a plurality of vaned impellers 16 for the various stages 1 to 6. There are two groups of stages arranged in opposed relation, each group having the same number of stages. In the illustrated form of the invention one group of stages comprises the stages 3,232,235 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 designated 1, 2 and 3 and the other group comprises the stages designated 4, 5 and 6. It will be apparent that various numbers of stages may be used in other applications of the invention.

The pump casing 10 defines a cylindrical chamber 18 and shaft 12 is mounted to extend axially through such chamber 18 and through a pair of heads 20 and 22 secured to the casing 10 at opposite ends of the pump. Shaft 12 extends through suitable packing means 24 and 26 secured within the heads 20 and 22, respectively, and is supported at its opposite ends by suitable bearings 28 and 3t).

Contained within the chamber 18 are a pair of end diaphragms 32 and 33 and a plurality of interstage diaphragms 34 for defining the stages 1 to 6, a central diaphragm 36 being provided between the two groups of opposed stages. The usual wearing rings 38 are keyed to the diaphragms and provide close clearance seals between the rotating impellers and the diaphragms. Within the diaphragms of the successive stages there are provided diffusers 40 which are provided with guide vanes and passages to direct the fiow of liquid to the next subsequent stage impeller at the proper location.

It will he understood that insofar as the function of each stage of the pump is concerned, the impellers and diffusers operate in the conventional manner of a centrifugal pump. The impellers, the diaphragms and the diffusers are held in the assembled relationship between the heads 20 and 22 as shown in FIGURE 1 by suitable securing means, which are well known in the art and need not be described in detail.

The pump casing 10 is provided with a body portion 42 extending axially beneath cylindrical chamber 18. As is shown best in FIGURES 2 and 3, body portion 42 has a centrally located, axially extending cylindrical portion 44 containing an internal sleeve 46 defining a cylindrical chamber 48. A relief is provided between portion 44 and sleeve 46 for machining purposes. As shown in FIGURES 2 to 5, there is formed a pair of longitudinally extending chambers 50 externally of and on either side of cylindrical portion 44 and sleeve 46. One end of the axial chambers 50 is defined by a transversely extending wall portion 51 and the other end is defined by the right end of body portion 42 as is shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 3, passages 49 are provided in the bottom of the wall definingpump chamber 18. These passages 49 provide communication between the discharge of stage 6 and chambers 50. As shown in FIGURE 3, circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs 53 are provided to support the sealing piston rings around the stage diaphragms.

The body portion 42 is also constructed to define a chamber 52 in communication with the discharge of stage 3. This chamber 52 is defined by a pair of transversely extending axially spaced walls 54 and 56 joined by a pair of longitudinally extending walls 58 and 60 on opposite sides of sleeve 46. The cylindrical portion 44 terminates at wall 58 whereby the sleeve 46 is not provided with any outer enclosure in the region of chamber 52 as is shown in FIGURE 4. The chamber 52 extends axially the length of the discharge chamber of stage 6 and to enclose a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 62 in sleeve 46. The ports 62 provide communication between chamber 52 and chamber 48 within sleeve 46 as is best shown by referring to FIGURES l and 4.

Sleeve 46 extends beyond wall 56, as is shown in FIG- URE 4, and comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 64. The sleeve 46does not have any external cylindrical means in the region of the ports 64 and these ports 64 provide communication between the chamber 43 within sleeve 45 and the chambers 50 as is best shown in FIGURE 4.

The pump is provided with a common inlet connection 70 which communicates with a pair of inlet channels 72 and 74. Channel 72 comprises an axially extending portion defined by an arcuate member 76 supported beneath body portion 42 and an inwardly extending portion defined by casing 10 and communicating with the suction of stage 1. Inlet connection 74 communicates with the suction of stage 4 by way of a valve chamber 78 located between a pair of valve seats 86 and 82. The control of flow through the valve chamber 78 will be described more fully hereafter.

The pump is provided with four discharge nozzles 84, 86, 88 and 90. The nozzles 8-4 and 86 are aligned on opposite sides of the pump and communicate with channels 50 at the plane 2-2. The nozzles 88 and 90 are aligned on opposite sides of the pump in communication with channels 50 at plane 44.

In accordance with the invention one simple valve element is provided in conjunction with the above-clescribed interconnecting chambers for setting the pump for either series or parallel operation. This valve element comprises a pair of circular valve members 92 and 94 mounted on a stem 96 extending from the exterior of the pump axially within chamber 48. The inner end of stem 96 carries the valve member 9?. which engages at its periphery the inner wall of sleeve 46, which serves as a valve seat for valve 92. Of course, valve member 92 blocks flow axially through the sleeve 46 across the valve member. The valve member 94 is mounted on an intermediate portion of stem 96 and is arranged to engage the annular valve seat 80 in the position shown in FIGURE 1. Valve member 94 is movable into engagement with annular valve seat 82 as will be described hereafter.

The outer end of stem 96 extends through suitable sealing means 98 and is provided with threads 100. A re tatable handle 102 threadedly engages the threads 100 and by rotation thereof causes axial movement of the stem 96 between the left-hand position shown in FIGURE 1 and a right-hand position. In the left-hand position of the valve element (shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1) valve member 92 is positioned to the left of ports 64 and valve member 94 engages seat 80 to block flow through inlet channel 74 and permit flow from chamber 48 through valve chamber 78 to the suction of stage 4. In the right-hand position of the valve elment, (shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1) valve member 92 is positioned to the right of ports 64 and valve member 94 engages seat 82 to block flow from chamber 48 and permit flow through the inlet channel 74 and valve chamber '73 to the suction of stage 4.

When it is desired to operate the pump at half capacity and full total developed head, the handle 102 is rotated to place the valve element in the left-hand position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1 whereby the two groups of stages are connected in series. In the series operation, the fiuid enters inlet chamber 70 and, since the inlet channel 74 is blocked by valve member 94 which engages valve seat 80, all of the fluid flows through the inlet chamber 72 to the suction of stage 1. After passing through the first group of stages 1, 2 and 3, the fluid leaves stage 3 and enters chamber 52. From chamber 52, the fluid passes through ports 62 in sleeve 46 and enters chamber 48. Since flow to the right through chamber 48 is blocked by valve member 92, the fluid flows to the left through chamber 48 and valve chamber 78 into the suction of stage 4. The valve member 94 blocks any flow from chamber 78 back into the inlet 70 by reason of its engagement with valve seat 8%). After passing through the second group of stages 4, 5 and 6 the fluid passes from the discharge of stage 6 through passages 49 into the discharge chambers 50. From chambers 50 the fluid is discharged from the pump casing through the four discharge nozzles 84, 86, 88 and 90.

When it is desired to operate the pump at full capacity and half total developed head, the handle 102 is rotated to place the valve element in the right-hand position illustrated in dotted lines in FIGURE 1 whereby the two groups of stages are connected in parallel. In parallel operation, the fluid enters inlet chamber 70 and is divixzled equally into the UWYO inlet channels 72 and 74. The fluid flowing through the inlet channel '72 enters the suction of stage 1 and, after passing through the stages 1, 2 and 3, the fluid enters chamber 52. From chamber 52, the fluid passes through the ports 62 in sleeve 46 and enters the chamber 48. In this position of the vallve element, flow to the left from chamber 48 is blocked by valve member 94 by reason of its engagement with valve seat 82, and, accordingly, there is no flow to the suction of stage 4. However, since valve member 92 is positioned to the right of passages 64, the fluid flows outwardly of chamber 48 through such ports 64 into the discharge chambers 50.

The fluid which passes through inlet chamber 72 enters valve chamber 78 and then the suction of stage 4. This fluid then passes through stages 4, 5 and 6 to the discharge of the latter stage from which the fluid flows through passages 49 into the discharge chambers 50.

The fluid which has entered chambers 50' from each of the parallel flow paths through the two groups of stages is discharged through the four discharge nozzles 84, 86, 83 and 90.

It will be understood that various departures may be made from the disclosed form 01f the invention Without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not desired to be Ilimited except as required by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple stage pump comprising a casing, first and second groups of pump stages contained within said casing, a pump inlet, a first inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the first group of stages, a second inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the second group of stages, first passage means within said casing connecting the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages with the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages, discharge chamber means, second passage means within said casing communicating between the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages and said discharge chamber, third passage means within said casing communicating between the discharge of the last stage of said second group of stages and said discharge chamber, and valve means within said casing movable between a pair of flow controlling positions, said valve means, in a first position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of the first group of stages and from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages and blocking flow through said second inlet channel and said second pasage, said valve means, in a second position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said first group of stages to the discharge chamber and through said second inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages to the discharge chamber and blocking flow from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage means.

2. A multiple stage pump comprising a casing, first and second groups of pump stages contained within said casing, each group including the same number of plural stages, a pump inlet, a first inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the first group of stages, a second inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the second group of stages, first passage means within said casingconnecting the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages with the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages, means defining a discharge chamber Within said casing, second passage means within said casing communicating between the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages and said discharge chamber, third passage means within said casing communicating between the discharge of the last stage of said second group of stages and said discharge chamber, and valve means within said casing cooperable with said passage means and said second inlet channel for controlling flow therethrough and movable between a pair of flow controlling positions, said valve means, in a first position thereof, directing fiow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said first group of stages and from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages and blocking flow through said second inlet channel and said second passage whereby said groups of stages operate in series, said valve means, in a second position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said first group of stages to the discharge chamber and through said second inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages to the discharge chamber and blocking flow from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage means whereby said groups of stages operate in parallel.

3. A pump according to claim 2 wherein said valve means comprises a single valve element including a pair of valve members, one of said valve members being located to block said second inlet channel in said first position and to block said first passage in said second position, the other of said valve members being located to block said second passage in said first position and to clear said second passage in said second position.

4. A pump according to claim 3 wherein said valve eiement comprises a stern and is guided for movement along the axis of said stem, said valve members being mounted in a fixed spaced relation on said stem.

5. A pump according to claim 4 including an elongated chamber, said stem and valve member being movable within said elongated chamber, said chamber forming a portion of said first and second passages.

6. A multiple stage pump comprising a casing, first and second groups of pump stages contained within said casing, each group including the same number of plural stages, a pump inlet, a first inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the first group of stages, a second inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first stage of the second group of stages, first passage means within said casing interconnecting the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages and the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages, means defining a discharge chamber within said casing, second passage means within said casing interconnecting the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages and said discharge chamber, third passage means within said casing interconnecting the discharge of the last stage of said second group of stages and said discharge chamber, a valve chamber at the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages, and receiving flow from said second inlet channel and said first passage, a first valve seat through which said inlet channel communicates with said valve chamber, a second valve seat through which said first passage communicates with said valve chamber, and valve means within said casing cooperable with said second passage means and said valve seats for controlling flow therethrough and movable between a pair of flow controlling iii positions, said valve means, in a first position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said first group of stages and from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages and blocking flow through said second inlet channel and said second passage, said valve means, in a second position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said first group of stages to the discharge chamber and through said second inlet channel to the suction of the first stage of said second group of stages to the discharge chamber and blocking flow from the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages through said first passage means.

7. A pump according to claim 6 wherein said valve means comprises a valve member which engages said first valve seat in said first valve position to block fiow through said second inlet channel and which engages said second valve seat in said second valve position to block flow through said first passage.

8. A pump according to claim 7 including means defining a valve seat intersecting said second passage, and wherein said valve means comprises a second valve member cooperable with said last-named valve seat for controlling fiow through said second passage.

9. A multiple stage pump comprising a casing, first and second groups of pump stages contained within said casing, a pump inlet, a first inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the first group of stages, a second inlet channel within said casing connecting said inlet with the suction of the second group of stages, passage means within said casing connecting the discharge of said first group of stages with the suction of said second group of stages, means defining an outlet chamber, an outlet conduit interconnecting the discharge of the last stage of said first group of stages and said outlet chamber, and valve means within said casing movable between a pair of flow controlling positions, said valve means, in a first position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of the first group of stages and from the discharge of said first group of stages through said passage means to the suction of said second group of stages and blocking flow through said second inlet channel and said outlet conduit so that said groups of stages operate in series, said valve means in a second position thereof, directing flow from said inlet through said first inlet channel to the suction of said first group of stages and through said second inlet channel to the suction of the second group of stages and blocking flow from the discharge of said first group of stages through said passage means to the suction of said second group of stages so that said groups of stages operate in parallel, said valve means including a single valve element having a stem, a pair of valve members mounted in a fixed spaced relation on said stem, one of said valve members being arranged to control flow through said second inlet channel and said passage means and the other of said valve members being arranged to control flow through said outlet conduit.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 554,326 7/ 1922 France. 873,127 3/ 1942 France. 460,986 6/ 1928 Germany.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

HENRY F. RADUAZO, Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE STAGE PUMP COMPRISING A CASING, FIRST AND SECOND GROUPS OF PUMP STAGES CONTAINED WITHIN SAID CASING, A PUMP INLET, A FIRST INLET CHANNEL WITHIN SAID CASING CONNECTING SAID INLET WITH THE SUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE FIRST GROUP OF STAGES, A SECOND INLET CHANNEL WITHIN SAID CASING CONNECTING SAID INLET WITH THE SUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SECOND GROUP OF STAGES, FIRST PASSAGE MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING CONNECTING THE DISCHARGE OF THE LAST STAGE OF SAID FIRST GROUP OF STAGES WITH THE SUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF SAID SECOND GROUP OF STAGES, DISCHARGE CHAMBER MEANS, SECOND PASSAGE MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE OF THE LAST STAGE OF SAID FIRST GROUP OF STAGES AND SAID DISCHARGE CHAMBER, THIRD PASSAGE MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE OF THE LAST STAGE OF SAID SECOND GROUP OF STAGES AND SAID DISCHARGE CHAMBER, AND VALVE MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING MOVABLE BETWEEN A PAIR OF FLOW CONTROLLING POSITIONS, SAID VALVE MEANS, IN A FIRST POSITION THEREOF, DIRECTING FLOW FROM SAID INLET THROUGH SAID FIRST INLET CHANNEL TO THE SUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE FIRST GROUP OF STAGES AND FROM THE DISCHARGE OF THE LAST STAGE OF SAID FIRST GROUP OF STAGES THROUGH SAID FIRST PASSAGE 